Elephants Delicatessen, the longtime Portland deli and caterer, has a new owner and a new Northwest Portland home. Willamette Valley hospitality and farming company The Ground has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake, and Elephants plans to reopen in early 2027 at 13 NW 23rd Place in the Uptown Shopping Center.
The new location is about three blocks from the deli’s former home at 115 NW 22nd Ave., which was badly damaged in a March 10 fire. Fire officials said the blaze started outside the 1947 building and spread inside and into the roof. No injuries were reported. The renovated space will include updates and improvements.
The Ground is buying its stake from Elephants shareholder Henry Hillman. The deal has not closed. When it does, Frank Foti, co-founder of The Ground and former CEO of Vigor Industrial, will become CEO of Elephants. Martin McClanan, the current CEO, will stay on as president and take a leadership role at The Ground.
The companies announced the agreement Oct. 7 and said Elephants will stay locally owned and independently operated. McClanan said the team plans to keep the deli’s recipes and hospitality, while Foti said the deal will let The Ground expand Elephants’ reach and add regenerative offerings.
The Ground began in 2016 as Tabula Rasa Farms. It runs a 550-acre farm near Carlton, along with restaurants and catering led by James Beard Award-nominated chef Sarah Schafer, event venues, retreat centers and lodging. The companies described the deal as a farm buying a food business, reversing the usual model.
